Maldives Police Service

The Maldives Police Service (Dhivehi: ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންގެ ޚިދުމަތް, romanized: dhivehi fuluhunge khidhumaiy) is the civilian national police force of the Republic of Maldives. It is responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout Maldives. The organization comes under the control of the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.

Maldives Police Service ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންގެ ޚިދުމަތް
Logo
Motto	To Protect and Serve
Agency overview
Formed	1 September, 2004
Preceding agency	29 March 1933
Employees	10000+
Jurisdictional structure
Population	517,887 (January 2023 est.)
Legal jurisdiction	Republic of Maldives
Constituting instrument	The Police Act, 34/2020[1]
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Shaheed Hussain Adam Building, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Maldives
Elected officer responsible	Ali Ihusan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology
Agency executives	Ali Shujau, Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen, Deputy Commissioner of Police
Parent agency	Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology
Facilities
Police Stations	155+ including Police Desks
Website
police.gov.mv

History

The police service was first established during the reign of Al-Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III on 29 March 1933, with the initial number of officers at 120. Members of the force were issued the traditional Maldivian mundu and libaas as well as a cap, belt, and straps.

During the early days of police, there was violence between the foreign investors^[who?] and the Maldivians. The foreigners stopped business with Maldivians and closed their shops. The Police tried their best to control the situation but needed the help of the military. The military helped the police in their full strength and finally brought the situation under control by 15 May 1933.

The initial investigation office was small, with only three investigation tables. The three tables in the investigating office represented three sections of the service: Theft, Political and Serious Crimes. In 1970 the police office was changed to the building that has since become the Bandara Koshi library. New sections formed; traffic control and road accidents were being monitored by the police. The police force was soon disbanded, although the initial law was not revoked. The police force was formally re-established on 13 March 1972 as a branch of the security force, which was then known as the National Guards, functioning under the Ministry of Public Safety.

The operating procedures of service established in 1933 were maintained until the election of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on 11 November 1978. When the force was restructured under the Ministry of Defense and National Security on 10 January 1979, National Guards were renamed as National Security Service. In 1985 the headquarters was relocated to the building of the current Ministry of Defense and National Security. Apart from an admin section, five investigation sections were formed.

In 1992, a police inspector David Price from the West Yorkshire Police introduced the modern working structure of the police, introducing police beats and mobile patrols. Police shifted to Shaheedh Hussain Adam Building in 1999 and on 1 September 2004, the Maldives Police Service was formed under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was a major functional shift of the present administration. National Security Service was later renamed as Maldives National Defence Force.

On 1 July 2013, a police reserve force known as the Special Constabulary was inaugurated. And on 23 July 2013, the first official ceremony to commemorate Police Memorial Day was held. The Police Memorial Day is an annual nationwide event which aims to remember, honour and pay respects to each and every police officer who lost their lives in the line of duty. And on the same day, Police Memorial Wall was inaugurated to honour the members of the Maldives Police Service who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Rank structure before 2020

	Commissioner			Superintendent		Inspector
Maldives Police Service[2]
	Commissioner of police	Deputy commissioner	Assistant commissioner	Chief superintendent	Superintendent of police	Chief inspector of police	Inspector of police	Sub inspector of Police

	Station inspector		Sergeant		Other
Maldives Police Service[2]							No insignia
	Police chief station inspector	Police station inspector	Police staff sergeant	Sergeant	Police corporal	Police lance corporal	Police constable